Summerville eyes region volleyball title

By Roger Lee

Contributing Writer

Summerville – The Summerville Girls Volleyball team has a new head coach, but only graduated one senior last spring there is a lot for her to work with.

Former Green Wave standout Liz Yohe has stepped in to lead her old team. Yohe was a four-time All-region selection for Summerville who also earned All-region honors for the school’s soccer team.

As the starting Libero for Converse University, she set the Valkyries’ program record for most digs in a career. As a senior in 2021 she earned all-conference honors for the second time in her collegiate career. In 2019, she led the conference in digs.

Yohe rejoined the Green Wave team in 2022 as an assistant to coach Rachel Page. When Page stepped down Yohe inherited the position and the program continues to enjoy its share of success.

Entering this week, Summerville is undefeated in Region 8-AAAAA play.

The Green Wave turned in a strong performance against region opponent James Island Oct. 3 in The Firehouse, claiming a 25-12, 25-7, 25-19 win. Summerville improved to 12-4 on the season with a 6-0 mark in the region.

“We have progressed, especially in our leadership on the court,” Yohe said. “I have a lot of leaders on this team so it took a while to figure out who was going to lead us on the court. I think one of the biggest differences from the beginning of the season is now they are listening to each other out there, not just hearing each other. We have a really good group of seniors and they all start. It pays off when you have so many older girls.”

The Green Wave is 6-1 on its home court this season with the only home loss coming to River Bluff Sept. 5. Two of the team’s other losses came during a tournament in Byrnes.

“Our main goal is to get past round two of the playoffs because we haven’t done that for some time,” Yohe said. “The girls are hungry for it.”

Senior outside hitters Drew Page and Lily Parker are in their fifth season with the varsity squad and will anchor a powerful front line. Page received All-State honors last season. Seniors Lilly Rafferty and Deorri Gaines are returners with experience at middle hitter/blocker. Senior Libero Ansley Bennett is a returner who anchors the Wave defense.

“Lily and Drew are my big pins and my Libero is the Gatorade Softball Player of the Year but is also one heck of a volleyball player,” Yohe said. “I have one senior DS and four junior Defensive Specialists so we are heavy on defense. They don’t let balls touch the floor very often. This group is excited and they are fun to watch.”

Senior Emily Farless and junior Tehani Mose return with experience at the setter position. Other players returning from last season are senior Molly Daugherty, junior Ellison Tyler, and sophomores Finley Dungan and Haylee Sexton.

New to the varsity squad are juniors Callahan Messina and Tamara Markovic and freshmen Molly Jackson and Claire Bunao.

Summerville has four remaining region matches with the most important likely being a rematch with Ashley Ridge on the road Oct. 7. The Swamp Foxes’ only region loss so far came to Summerville. The Green Wave travels to West Ashley Oct. 10 and then wraps up its schedule by hosting Fort Dorchester Oct. 17 and West Ashley Oct. 21. All matches are scheduled for 6:30 p.m.

Wave Football

Summerville is out to a 6-0 start on the gridiron this fall thanks to a high-octane offense and stiff defense.